Deaths of Local Interest – Sept. 24, 2016

Milton M. Dalley, 81, of Manheim, formerly of Hunterdon, N.J., passed away Sept. 20 at Mount Hope Nazarene Retirement Community in Manheim following a recent decline in health. A diesel mechanic, he was employed for many years by Vianini Pipe Inc. in Somerville, N.J. Earlier in his life, he was a diesel mechanic for Bass Trucking. He was the husband of R. Elaine Hershey Dalley of Manheim.

Martha M. Deck, 92, of Ephrata, died Sept. 14 at Ephrata Manor. Martha was employed as a seamstress at Ship and Shore Blouse Factory, Womelsdorf, for 14 years, retiring in 1986. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, and gardening. Her sister, Laura Moore, resides in Manheim.

Brent R. Haas, of Manheim, passed away July 23. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at the Buch Funeral Home, 21 Market Square, Manheim, on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., with visitation 30 minutes prior to the service.

John R. “Jack” Herr, 76, of Lancaster, died Sept. 16 after a tough fight against cancer. Jack was retired from High Steel Structures after 42 years where he was a Supervisor for the majority of those years. Jack was strong (he was a member of the 400-pound bench club) and loved life and his family and friends. He was passionate about exercise and inspired family, neighbors, and friends throughout his life. His son, Rick, husband of Connie, lives in Lititz.

Clayton J. High, 74, of Lancaster, died Sept. 16. Clayton retired from Alcoa, where he had been employed as a truck driver for 35 years. Following retirement he had worked at RW Connection for six years. He had served in the U.S. Navy. His son, James, husband of Kathieanne High, resides in Lititz.

Joan T. (Henkel) Markert, of St. Anne’s Retirement Community, Columbia died Sept. 18. She was a homemaker and enjoyed singing with the Lancaster Opera Workshop and the Liederkranz, and also volunteered at Office of Aging and St. Anne’s. A daughter, Dolores, married to Donald Kissinger, lives in Manheim.

George W. Myers Jr., 85, of Lancaster, entered into rest after a long illness Sept. 15 at Moravian Manor, Lititz. He was a sergeant in the United States Army fighting in the Korean War from 1951-1953. Then he was in the reserves until 1957. George was very proud of his service and wore his Korean War hat almost every day during his elderly years. He was a mechanic and bus driver for Penn Highway Transit Co. of Lancaster from 1948-1970.

Jean Shebitz, 96, of Ephrata, passed away Sept. 21 at Keystone Villa. Jean worked as an administrator for the Nausau County Medical Center. A grandson, Seth, husband of Kelly Burkholder, lives in Lititz.

Claude Lester Sweigart, 92, of Luther Acres, Lititz, formerly of Lancaster, went home to be with the Lord Sept. 15. Claude loved his church, Zion Lutheran in Leola; golf; and telling bad jokes. He was a Mason, Shriner and a member of the Ephrata Elks. A U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, he received a European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with four Bronze Battle Stars. The family extends their thanks to LutherCare for their loving care to Claude.

Gerald R. Troop, 74, of New Holland, formerly of Churchtown, died Sept. 17 at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Ephrata, Gerald retired in 2002 from Frontier Communications after 43 years of service.. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed funnel cakes, Monopoly with the grandchildren, summer family beach vacations, wood working, bluegrass music, John Wayne movies, building dollhouses, and serving his church and community. A daughter, Robin L., married to Robert Finkill, lives in Lititz.